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Blog: Transforming Your Home
 2nd graders CAN do their own laundry!
Ten years ago when my now 17-year old son was only a second grader, I was involved in a freak accident where I lost the use of my right arm for eighteen months. It was a difficult time not only for me but for my family as they had to jump in and help me with everything from drying my hair to cutting the food on my plate.
During this time my husband asked our children what tasks they'd be willing to do around the house in order to help me out. Little Jake was enthusiastic about volunteering to do the family laundry. At first I didn't take him seriously, and then I realized he wasn't joking.
Over the next year I watched him sort the laundry, making corrections where necessary. I stood by as he loaded the washer and dryer and tried giving lessons on how to properly hang a woman's blouse and fold a t-shirt. Obviously, I had to lower my standards for this hard-working, proud 7-year old. I was humbled by his young help.
In time I regained my health and my injuries healed. One of the greatest lessons learned during this difficult time was that my young children were far more capable…and willing…to handle responsibilities than I gave them credit for. Needless to say, I decided to turn over their laundry duties completely to them at this point.
One of the tools I equipped them with is they each got a Laundry Sorter. This 3-bag sorter allowed them to sort their laundry as they undressed each night. Whites. Darks. Bright Colors. Kids are smart and this was quite simple for them. When a bag was nearly full it meant they had a full load. They then decided when they would get it to the washing machine.
As my kids have gotten older, I've realized that handing household responsibilities off to them at a young age taught them great time management skills. As they got older and into high school, they needed to manage their homework, part-time jobs, school activities as well as getting their laundry done and making time for friends.
Who knew so much could be learned from dirty laundry!
Best,
Audrey Thomas
A.k.a. Organized Audrey
posted on: 12/18/2007 10:00:00 AM by Audrey Thomas
category: Homes
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